By Thomas Grant Jr.
Having the proverbial “chip on the shoulder” is something Gray Collegiate Academy does not deny.
To a man, the War Eagles are motivated by the abrupt ending to last season. Not only were they forced to forfeit all six wins and miss the Class 4A playoffs, but head coach De’Angelo Bryant was suspended for the rest of the 2024-25 school year.
The penalties were enforced by the S.C. High School League for recruiting violations and use of an ineligible player.
“Being Gray, you’ve always got a chip on your shoulder,” quarterback Tyler Waller said. “Everyone’s out to get you. Even in (Class) 2A, everyone hated us. Just got up to (Class) 4A, everyone still hates us. So, we still have a chip on our shoulder.”
Now back on the sidelines, Bryant is more focused on leading Gray Collegiate back into the state championship race. Along with returning talent, the War Eagles have added four new transfers led by former Gilbert running back Trevon Williamson.
The junior is expected to team up with Nate Dixon out of the backfield.
“I think this offense opens up a lot of opportunities for me,” Williamson said. “On the outside, we’ve got a lot of speed at wide receiver.”
Last year, Hiszari Gantt and Kaleb Berry both finished strong at wide receiver last season. Corey Gleaton will see more time at receiver than defensive back, and Royce Williamson is coming off a dynamic season in junior varsity.
The other two transfers come over from Irmo. Quarterback Harley Harrison will back up Waller and senior linebacker Tye Rivers will team up with All-State senior Michael Boulware.
“What makes Michael special is that he has expectations for himself,” Bryant said. “He works it every day. He lives it every day, and it’s great that we’ve got a guy like him who’s a leader on and off the field. A guy who practices just as hard as he plays and a guy who’s a born leader.”
GRAY COLLEGIATE 2025 SCHEDULE
(All Games Start at 7:30 p.m.)
AUG. 22 – at James Island
AUG. 29 – Bye
SEPT. 5 – at Marlboro County
SEPT. 12 – DUTCH FORK
SEPT. 19 – MIDLAND VALLEY
SEPT. 26 – NORTH AUGUSTA
OCT. 3 – at Brookland-Cayce
OCT. 10 – at Airport
OCT. 17 – SOUTH AIKEN
OCT. 24 – at Aiken
OCT. 31 – GILBERT
